'Tis the Season for hot cocoa, snowmen, carolers and rosy cheeks. With Christmas just around the corner, we’re busy planning a few activities that are sure to delight. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming events and activities. 

 Annual Community Christmas Card Contest 

A call to children for “Christmas in Port Colborne." Help design the City of Port Colborne’s community Christmas card. 

Attention all parents and teachers: a favourite City of Port Colborne holiday tradition is happening again this year; the Christmas card design contest.

On behalf of the City of Port Colborne, Mayor Bill Steele is inviting the children of our community to help design the city’s 2024 Christmas card.

Submissions may be painted with fingers or brushes, or drawn with pencils, crayons, pastels, or markers on a standard white sheet of paper, 8 ½” X 11” in vertical or horizontal format. Remember that deep, dark colours produce a better illustration. The contest is open to all children who live or go to school in Port Colborne; up to and including those in Grade 8.

Time is of the essence: to be chosen and reproduced for printing in time for the holiday season, all submissions must be received at the Mayor’s Office in City Hall, 66 Charlotte St., Port Colborne ON L3K 3G8 by Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 at 4 p.m.  

Please include the child’s name, address, and telephone number on the back of the artwork.

For more information, call Gail Todd at 905-228-8059, or email gail.todd@portcolborne.ca.

 Lighted Santa Claus Parade 

The City of Port Colborne is excited for the return of our traditional Lighted Santa Claus Parade in Port Colborne's downtown core.  

Port Colborne's Lighted Santa Claus Parade is always held the first Saturday in December.

Join us on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. and witness the streets of Port Colborne lit up by our local businesses, community groups, schools, and more. 

  • If you are interested in registering a float in the parade, please complete the Parade Application
  • If you are interested in volunteering for the Santa Claus Parade, complete the Volunteer Application
  • If you are interested in sponsoring the parade, or any other community event please contact Jasmine Peazel-Graham at 289-673-3790, or download our sponsorship package.

Please be sure to submit your application by Monday, November 25 at 4:30 p.m.

If you do not have access to e-mail, you can mail or drop off your application to:

City of Port Colborne, Attn: Event Services, 66 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne, ON L3K 3C8 

 

2024 Float Contest Winners:

Musical Category: coming soon!

Community Group: coming soon!

Business Category: coming soon!

People's Choice: coming soon!

Other Category: coming soon!

 

 Tug Boat Santa

Santa will once again arrive in true marine fashion, by tugboat at 1 p.m. (Seaway traffic pending) on Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Stop by West Street (near the Pilot House) to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus and then join them at The Guild Hall (72 Charlotte Street) for photos, hot chocolate and crafts.    

For more information, email downtownportcolborne@gmail.com or check out their Facebook page for updates as the event draws near. 

 All Hands on Deck: Holiday Drive 

 

This year, the City of Port Colborne will be hosting a holiday drive in support of Port Cares and Gillian’s Place. The All Hands on Deck Holiday Drive will collect new unwrapped toys or books, non- perishable food, used clean coats, and new mittens. Drop off locations include:

  • The Fire Hall (3 Killaly Street W)

  • The Engineering and Operations Centre (1 Killaly Street W)

  • The Vale Health & Wellness Centre (550 Elizabeth Street)

  • City Hall (66 Charlotte Street)

  • The Port Colborne Public Library (310 King Street)

    The City will also be collecting non-perishable food items at the upcoming lighted Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7. 

For more information, call 905-835-2900.

 Christmas at the Museum
The Historical and Marine Museum hosts their Grand Old Christmas Festival the first Sunday of  December from 12-4 p.m.

Stay tuned for details on how you can celebrate Christmas the old-fashion way, with traditions we have all come to love, on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

For more information, visit the museum's website.

 

 Port Colborne Business Lighting Contest 

The City of Port Colborne invites all local businesses and storefronts across the city to decorate their location and help us light up Port Colborne for the Christmas season. 

All businesses that participate, will be entered into a light display contest with the winner being chosen by the community, with voting taking place on the city’s Facebook page. 

Christmas lights and decorations must be installed by Monday, December 16, 2024. To enter the contest, you must submit a picture to eventservices@portcolborne.ca

Prizes will be awarded to the three businesses with the most votes.

For more information, please contact olga.loeffen@portcolborne.ca

 Home for the Holidays Decorating Contest
Calling all Clark Griswold’s of Port Colborne!

Since 2020, we have been looking for the best holiday decorations in town! Port Colborne residents are invited to PORTicipate in their very own home decorating contest.

With the following categories:

  • Best lawn display/house lights
  • Best balcony/door display

Entries must be submitted by Monday, December 9, 2024 to eventservices@portcolborne.ca

The winners are chosen by the community, with voting taking place on the city’s Facebook page. 

The winners in each category receive a $200 gift card to a Port Colborne grocery/food store of their choice.

For more information, e-mail eventservices@portcolborne.ca.

Roselawn Christmas Makers’ Market
The Friends of Roselawn are pleased to announce the Christmas Makers’ Market will return this year to the Roselawn Centre on Saturday, November 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
The event is free admission and will feature 20 artisans and crafters plus coffee and tea. Visit with Santa and take a stroll through the Victorian Mansion.